In this afternoon performance, chamber choir Moderato Cantabile presents Vespers—also known as the All-Night Vigil—by Sergei Rachmaninov. This masterpiece stands as one of the most powerful and emotionally rich a cappella compositions ever written for choir. Blending refrains from the Eastern Orthodox liturgy with lush, symphonic textures, the piece is a recurring highlight in the choir’s repertoire. For the singers, it is a work that is both deeply familiar and technically demanding.

About the Conductor

Nana Tchikhinashvili, born in Tbilisi, Georgia, began singing in professional choirs at just six years old. At eighteen, she enrolled in music college, focusing on choral conducting alongside piano and voice. She later continued her studies at the State Conservatory in Tbilisi, where she became one of the youngest professional soloists of the State Academic Choir and also served as its conductor. Over time, Nana developed her own distinctive style of conducting. In 2001, she founded chamber choir Moderato Cantabile.

About the Choir

Moderato Cantabile is made up of 30 trained singers who are attuned to Nana’s expressive conducting style, which emphasises communication through gesture and facial expression. Rehearsals focus on breathing, articulation, timing, dynamics, and Italian vocal techniques—such as an open throat and rounded mouth shape—giving the choir its signature warm sound. With five concerts each year in stunning venues, the ensemble delivers passionate, dynamic performances. The repertoire is diverse and often performed a cappella, though some concerts include accompaniment by organ, chest organ, violin, viola, or cello.